Art exhibit brings region's landscapes and history to life

Johnstown — Bottle Works and Art Works are teaming up for an exhibition and workshop package that highlights artwork depicting Johnstown and Cambria County.

“Scenes of Johnstown and Cambria County” is scheduled to open from 4 to 8 p.m. April 14. The exhibit features landscapes by Western Pennsylvania natives Ron Donoughe and Scott Steberger.

These modern-day artisans have focused their talents on creating landscapes showcasing the nuances, scenes and beauty of Johnstown.

Donoughe’s Johnstown-themed exhibit includes paintings of the city’s mills, churches and bucolic farms, among others. In December 2011, his work was featured in Pennsylvania Governor Tom Corbett’s “Across the Alleghenies” exhibit. He published his second book, “Paintings of Indiana County,” last year. His first book is titled, “Essence of Pittsburgh.”

The Pittsburgh resident’s art was selected for Salon International’s Masters of Contemporary Fine Art in 2004 and awarded best of show at the Three Rivers Arts Festival in 2003. One of his previous city-based exhibits focused on Indiana and the full collection still hangs at Indiana University of Pennsylvania, which is Donoughe’s alma mater.

He teaches plein air workshops throughout the United States and is a member of the Associated Artists of Pittsburgh. In addition to IUP, Donoughe’s paintings can be found at The Westmoreland Museum of American Fine Art and The Southern Alleghenies Museum of Art.

Fellow artist Steberger, known for his highly textured landscape paintings that demonstrate a style of realism, is influenced by Monet, Van Gogh and Jackson Pollock. His work strives to present the harmony of nature by incorporating man-made objects. He is quoted as saying that he sketches his original designs from “atop (his) steering wheel.”

Steberger’s goal as an artist involves capturing the world’s every day beauty and relishing in the wonder of nature. Throughout the past 20 years, his artwork has been exhibited in various venues, including Carnegie Museum of Art, Westmoreland Museum of Art and the Southern Alleghenies Museum of Art. Many of his pieces reside in private collections throughout the United States and Canada.

The Lilly native works as an adjunct professor at Saint Francis University, Mount Aloysius College and also teaches art at the All Saints Catholic School in Cresson.

The exhibit’s opening reception will feature live music from 5 to 7 p.m. Music will be provided by Gordon Gleen, a five-member band that plays bluegrass, Americana and ‘60s and ‘70s folk. Attendees will have an opportunity to meet and interact with the artists during the reception.

The following Saturday, a luncheon and gallery talk with both artists will be held from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. The cost to attend is $10 per person.

On April 28, Donoughe will present a plein air art workshop beginning at 9:30 a.m. The workshop will introduce students to the principles of light, color and value. Donoughe will hold a demonstration and then proceed to work with students on an individual level.

Some of the topics that Donoughe will discuss are how to see and translate the world into paintings; how premixed colors can help the outdoor painting achieve harmony and speed the process; and how brushwork makes a painting more interesting and painting composition. The cost to attend is $50 per person and there is limited seating available.

Steberger’s workshop is to be held May 5, when he will teach students the use of composition, design and texture in making art on a flat surface. He will address traditional drawing and painting techniques, as well as more modern approaches and improvisational aspects.

One topic involves how to go from an idea to a finished work of art. Students are invited to bring photos and/or sketches of subject matter of interest. Steberger will oversee each student’s progress while providing inspiration and constructive criticism. The cost to attend is $50 per person and there is limited seating available. Like Donoughe’s workshop, it is scheduled for 9:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.

For more information about the exhibit and/or workshops, call Theresa Gay Rohall at 814-535-2020 or e-mail trohall@artworksinjohnstown.org. Pre-registration is required for the lunch/gallery talk, as well as the workshops.

The “Scenes of Johnstown and Cambria County” exhibit will conclude May 25.